Chap. 3 3. `An Expofition upon the Bookof J o B. Verf. z 3. fall. For as he found that Godmade man upright, fo mutable, fubied to temptation, and as eafily yeilding to the "temptation," as admitting himfelfe to be tempted : and fo, not telling in that way and meanes of happinefs ( as the Devil his tempter did not ) which the wifdome and goodnefs of God had chalked otit and al- lotted to him,but conceiting tohimfelfe a higher perfection, he then began and fill contìnueth to feeke out variety of meanes (called by Solomon, many inventions) as then to get more thenhe had, fo now to regaine force fhadow at leaf} of what he had. Thefe inventions, are all thole carnali fhifts, wherebymanhopes either topalliate his fin or topacifie his confcience.But all prove vain inventions ; there being no pcffibility now, for man to get out of fin, or to goeback to God, and fo to his firf elate, but by repentance ; That's Gods invention,and he bath concluded, that nothing without that fhaltbring man(the cafe ofinfants is another thing)to that fateof uprightnefs,in whichhe was firf made.And therefore the Apofile giving anaccount ofhis minifity,howhe ac- ted asamefenger,or an intepreter ( He indeedwas one among a thoufand)faith(AEfs ao.zo,zt.) lkept back nothing that was pro- fitable untoyou,&tc.tefli fyingboth to the Jews,&alfo to the Greekes, repentance towards God , and faith towards our Lord jefus (lsrifl, which is The fecond thing wherein this uprightnefs of mans flare doth confif}. Thefe two, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord. Jefus Chrift, were the fumme of all thole Sermons in which l'atelgave counfel both toJewes andGentiles what to doe that they might be faxed. And this is the'worke ofall Gòfpel Mini f ers infaewingunto man. hi- uprightnefs. He that is conver- ted, and believeth, he that turneth fron fin, and taketh hold of Jefus Chriíl by faith for righteoufnefs, is in a better fate of uprightnefs, thenwhen he was firf made upright. The Prophet ( Hab: a. 4. ) fpeaking offaith, and that which is"oppofite to felfe-conñdence, ufeth this word, Behold his foule°which'is. lifted up (namely in thoughtsof any felfe or'crea'ture-fdWicieney ) is not upright in Intro. A.prond foule is riot an Upright foule. What is pride ? furety this, for a man to thinke himfelfe in a good con- dition, or that he is well ènough, that he wants nothing , as it is fayd ofthe Church-cf T( 6 1 Rd `3. i;7.) when yet he is empty and guilty , poore and peny-leffe in fpiritualls, wanting D d d z every 3 7
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